98 



British Binh. 



The Common Nightjar (/■. 97) 



The Isabelline Nightjar. 



sailing high in the air across a valley, it has a curious habit of striking its wings 

 together above its back, producing quite an audible clap. No nest is made by the 

 bird, and the e^^rs, two in number, are laid on the bare ground. They are elliptical 

 in shape, with both ends equally rounded, and are marbled with brown and 

 violet-grey spots and lines. 



This is a very pale-coloured species, and is distin- 

 guished by the notches of white on the inner webs of the 

 primaries, which do not have the large white spot so 

 conspicuous in C. europcvtis. One specimen of this Nightjar 

 has been obtained in England, viz., in Nottinghamshire, 

 on the 23rd of June, 18S3. Its home is in the deserts of Northern Africa, 

 whence it e.xtends into Central Asia. 



A single specimen of this Nightjar has been obtained 

 at Killingworth, on the 6th of October, 1856. It is a slightly 

 largerbirdthan 

 the Common 

 Nightjar, but has a large white spot 

 on the inner web of the primaries, as 

 in that species, from which it is dis- 

 tinguished by the broad rufous collar 

 on the hind neck. Another difference 

 between the two species lies in the 

 fact that in C. niJicoUis, the female, 

 as well as the male, has the large 

 white spots on the inner webs of the 

 primaries. These spots are found only 

 in the male of C. europdus. 



T h e e .\ - 

 ternal form of 

 the Bee-Eaters The Red-necked Nightjar. 



THE ISABELLINE 



NIGHTJAR. 



{Cnpriiiinlf^us 



isabtUiitits.) 



THE RED-NECKED 



NIGHTJAR. 

 [Cnpriniitlgus niJicuUis.) 



THE BEE-EATERS. 

 Sub-Orde,' MEROPES. 



